Thick-Faced

Sam doesn’t pay attention to their meeting at all. She’s pre-occupied with the things going on between Stacy and Zach. All along their relationship, he has been lying to her that she’s the only one. Nothing could ever change the fact he lied… that she’s the only one he slept on. 

“Ms. Samantha Lee? Ms. Samantha Lee?” She snapped back to her senses. Right after she saw their gawking eyes, Sam raised her eyebrows to her member, and nodded. Good things they haven’t started the presentation yet. Sam shook off the thought of Zach right the moment the lights turned off. 

As Sam worked up in the details of their new concept for a drama, she couldn’t help but to wonder how those memories never cease to exist. It’s the only thing that’s keeping her still down a path Zach was never taking again. Sam had a lot to unravel, had a lot of questions to ask, on how he fell out of love after the 10th mark of their love… 

But yesterday, she just lost him over her former best friend. 

Maybe losing both ease out the burden, but then, it’s not really good to hustle about it before sleeping at night.

An hour passed, and the presentation felt good. Sam approved the tiny details of change in the plotline so they can start writing the script for nearly 6 months of production. It’s not easy to produce a drama, but they release it close to each other. Sam went out of the conference room, and dismissed her teammates right away. 

Her phone rang before she slid to her desk. 

Ethan calling… 

Sam raised her eyebrows. It is work time, so they shouldn’t allow phones, but then, Sam remembered they’re inside their offices, and they can do what they want. She swiped the answer button. 

“Hello? What can I do for you, Ethan?” 

Ethan answered back. “Can we have some dinner tonight?” 

Sam prepared to say no every time he asked, because she had Zach back then. But today, it all sank in right through her heart that she’s alone. No one’s waiting for her to come home to eat some dinner, to watch the TV, and to sleep together after a steamy intercourse.

She lost all of that in just a span of a month. 

Sam responded, “Yeah, we can. Besides… no one’s waiting at home.” 

Even though she’s living with her parents now, they all went to sleep before she even came home. Sam isn’t a kid anymore. She knew how to make her decisions now. So even if she comes home late, or even at 3 in the morning, her mother would just ask and let it off in the wind. 

“Sure. I’ll text you the address.” 

… 

Royal Times Restaurant. 9pm. 

Sam was late a minute, and Ethan was right at the table by the window. She slid in the booth, asking, “Did you wait that long?” 

“No, Sam. I just came here 10 minutes before you.” Sam breathed just fine first. Ethan did the same thing. Even though she’s putting on a smile, Ethan can see right in her eyes she’s not happy of what was happening today. 

Sam picked up the menu, showed it to Ethan, and asked, “Are you going to order now?” 

Ethan said, “Let’s just have a moment and talk how our day was.” 

Sam halted from looking at the menu. Ethan’s words put her to a stop, and she laid down the menu, not even daring to look at his eyes. Because the moment it when, she never controlled those silent tears to come. Ethan has known this would happen, and that day on the hospital… 

He was there. 

He planned to visit Zach after a while before coming home, but his plans got backfired when he heard two women talking at each other, as if reiterating the times they have been with Zach. Ethan has known Stacy and Sam would be able to do that, but… 

Sam woke up and just realized Zach fell in love with another woman. Based on what Stacy did, she didn’t seduce him. Sam just changed, Zach changed… and their relationship… changed. 

Ethan wasn’t certain if he should say this or not to Sam, but he wanted to be utterly honest. And it wouldn’t give him the record if he lied about eavesdropping.  

Sam silently endured it while Ethan was watching. 

Ethan gave in, “I’ve heard Stacy’s story.” 

Even if it’s a one-sided story, and no one can prove it besides Zach, still, the story she said made up a lot of sense as to how Sam and Zach’s relationship fell apart. Stacy didn’t lie this time. Sam didn’t want… to accept the truth unraveling in her eyes. 

“Who would have said that if you didn’t hear, right?” Sam didn’t even dare to wipe those tears away. She let it trickle down her cheeks. Ethan sighed. 

“I heard Zach’s leaving, too.” 

Sam didn’t reply on that one. That action hurt her the most. Sam just has to have the idea of the cheating that happened, and everything else would be blurred. No clear picture as to how she should deal with things again. Sam retrieved tissue paper, dabbed it on her wet cheek, and let the silence ensue. 

A few minutes, she said, “I don’t hold against his parents wanting him to go away here in this country for his treatment. What I don’t want to happen is that… Stacy wouldn’t say anything about me to Zach. They’ll change the story, and nothing’s going to be real again.” 

Ethan understood her fears. If he were Sam, he would suffer with it, too. 

“If she were that thick of a face, I’ll never get Zach’s memory back.” 

… 

“How long are we in a relationship, S-stacy?” Stacy stopped from tying the trash bin. She turned to Zach, unsure of what to say, but then, Stacy doesn’t know what she should do. Will she be able to say it or not? 

“For as long as you know. But since you can’t remember, I’ll help you with that.” 

“Why not say it now?” Zach pointed out. 

Stacy helped him with the pillows upon his back. She didn’t say anything until Zach’s on a sitting position. His forehead was still bandaged through, and it hasn’t been that long after he got into an accident. Stacy straightened out his hospital gown, saying, “Then I’ll just blabber it all to you like nothing happened. Do you want that?” 

Zach asked, “Why, was that wrong?” 

Stacy sighed. “I mean, I wanted you to remember it all at your own accord, Zach. With that, it will all be worth it.” 

How can that be when he doesn’t know anything about his life? Maybe Stacy was wrong, but his mind isn’t occupied with something else. Zach nodded, asking, “Was it going to be? What if I don’t remember it all?” 

“Then I’ll make you remember it. Tell me what you want, and I’ll make you remember it.” Zach stared at Stacy’s eyes. He doesn’t know what to picture on, or when the trance was just as beautiful as it was. But whenever he looked at Stacy’s eyes, he doesn’t feel anything. 

“I don’t feel anything, Stacy. I can’t connect your eyes to me. My heart’s beating normal, and isn’t it supposed to be pounding faster whenever I see you?” 

Stacy raised her eyebrows. Zach kept on looking at you. 

“Zach…” 

“Can it be possible for the feelings to be forgotten, too?”